Daily Bible Plan - Mark 16

09. December 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: UNLEASHED2LOVE (Unleashed to Love) - Mark 16:1-20

Fortified City Church / Love City Church / Basel French Assembly / Luzern City Fellowship / ⁠PIWC Bern / ⁠Global prayer family

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations, church!

We have successfully completed our 3-day fasting, and within these days we explored the Kingdom of God in its depth and beauty. I believe testimonies are already gathering, and when they manifest, do not hesitate to share them. Your testimony could unlock faith in someone else.

This month our theme is UNLEASHED TO LOVE.

I personally believe that the very core of God’s Kingdom is love. Everything God does flows from love.

This is why the Bible declares in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.”

The coming of Jesus was driven by love.

His birth was driven by love.

Our salvation was released through love.

As we enter the Christmas season, let us take advantage of every moment to share the love of God. When people refer to this season as “holidays,” let us lovingly remind them that it is not merely a holiday—it is the celebration of the birth of our King. A Child was given. A Son was born. And the government shall be upon His shoulders (Isaiah 9:6).

This is a perfect opportunity to ask people what Christmas means to them and to share the message of Christ with boldness and tenderness.

Now, let us deep dive into the final chapter of Mark—Mark 16—and discover what it truly means to be unleashed to love. ⸻

📖 1. Love Runs to Jesus — Even When All Seems Lost (vv. 1–4)

When the Sabbath ended, the women hurried to the tomb with spices to honor Jesus. Even in sorrow and confusion, when hope looked buried behind a stone, their love kept them moving.

Love does not retreat.

Love keeps pursuing.

Love shows up even when nothing makes sense.

They did not allow disappointment to silence their devotion.

And when they obeyed in love, they found the stone rolled away—reminding us that obedience born out of love always reveals a miracle on the other side.

These women came with the intention to anoint Jesus. Even after His death, they did not forget Him. They could have concluded that Jesus was a false prophet since He had promised resurrection and yet died. They could have said, “He wasn’t powerful; He allowed Himself to be killed.” But instead, they honored Him.

They purchased expensive spices—because genuine love remains committed even when circumstances contradict expectations.

Jesus honored them in return by appearing first to these women.

This shows the crucial role women play in the story of Jesus. Though spiritual leadership roles may often fall to men, Scripture consistently reveals women as devoted companions of Christ—faithful, consistent, and unwavering. And Jesus affirmed this by revealing Himself to them before anyone else.

He then instructed them to tell the disciples and Peter specifically. Notice that Peter—the leader—did not see Jesus first. Sometimes God reveals Himself first to those whose hearts are postured in love and devotion.

⸻

2. Love Hears the Message of Resurrection (vv. 5–7)

Inside the tomb, the angel announced:

“He is risen; He is not here.”

Love places us in the right position to hear heaven’s announcements, even in moments of pain or confusion.

But the angel added a specific instruction:

“Go, tell His disciples—and Peter.”

This is love illustrated:

Peter had failed.

Peter had denied Jesus.

Peter was broken.

Yet love singled him out for restoration.

Love calls the fallen by name and brings them back into destiny.

⸻

3. Love Breaks Fear and Releases Boldness (vv. 8–14)

The women fled in fear. The disciples were hiding. Their faith was shaken. Yet Jesus appeared to them—not to mock their weakness, but to strengthen their hearts.

Jesus later appeared to the eleven and rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart. Even His rebuke was an expression of love. Today, many reject correction because they misunderstand its purpose—but Jesus corrected them to position them, not to condemn them.

They listened, and Jesus immediately entrusted them with the next instruction.

This month, may the Lord break every fear in our hearts and release boldness to love, boldness to witness, and boldness to obey.

⸻

4. Love Sends Us Out — The Great Commission (vv. 15–18)

Jesus declared:

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Love cannot stay silent.

Love cannot stay seated.

Love must move.

Jesus continued:

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Let this truth stir our hearts—there are many around us who risk condemnation if we do not love enough to preach.

Then He added:

“These signs will follow those who believe…”

— They will cast out demons

— They will speak in new tongues

— They will take up serpents

— They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover

This is what it means to be unleashed to love.

Because true love is not passive—it is powerful.

True love carries supernatural authority.

As we love, preach, give, and serve, God confirms His Word with signs following.

⸻

5. Love Ascends but Also Abides (vv. 19–20)

Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father—a sign that the redemptive work is complete.

The disciples went out preaching everywhere.

And the Scripture says:

“The Lord worked with them and confirmed the word with signs following.”

As we step out in love this month—caring for the poor, extending kindness, preaching Christ, blessing the needy—God will work with us.

Expect divine confirmations.

Expect supernatural results.

Expect the Lord to honor your love with His presence.

This is the power of being UNLEASHED2LOVE.

PRAYER

Thank God for this devotion

Pray for a heart that loves

Ask the holyspirit to give you the grace to love unconditionally towards your brothers and sisters out there